Semi-Annual Notable News - Biochemistry Highlight

Welcome New Faculty

Dr. Blerta Xhemalçe

Biochemistry is pleased to welcome Blerta Xhemalçe, PhD, who will join the department September 2024 as an Associate Professor of Biochemistry.

Dr. Xhemalçe was previously an Associate Professor of Molecular Biosciences at the University of Texas at Austin. Her new lab, located on the 4^th floor of the Rollins Research Center, aims to decipher how epigenetic modifications regulate the expression of genetic information from DNA to RNA to proteins, with a particular focus on RNA modification pathways.

Research Updates

Bou-Nader Lab

Dr. Charles Bou-Nader joined Biochemistry as an Assistant Professor in November 2023. Four months in and the Bou-Nader lab has a series of firsts: first protein purifications, first RNA and R-loop purifications, first cryoEM grids, first enzymatic assays, first binding measurements, first research specialist, first two graduate students that entrusted us with their career dreams, first two undergraduate students, first two funded grants (NIAID R00 and pilot grant from CRNA), and first group picture dedicated to this newsletter! The lab is fully setup and operational and we look forward to impactful discoveries on R-loops and ribonucleoprotein complexes. We’re looking for a postdoc so if you know a good scientist that shares our vision and values please spread the word! Also excited to interact more with colleagues and future collaborators on campus.

Ghalei Lab

Homa Ghalei, PhD, was promoted to Associate Professor of Biochemistry, effective September 1, 2023.

The Ghalei lab received the 2023 Emory School of Medicine Dean’s IMAGINE, INNOVATE, AND IMPACT (I3) award. The SOM Dean’s I3 WOW Awards fund innovative research ideas with the potential to make a transformational impact on fundamental biomedical knowledge or translational applications. This awarded project, which is collaborative research between the laboratories of Dr. Homa Ghalei in the Department of Biochemistry and Dr. Adam Marcus from the Hematology and Medical Oncology Department, aims to establish novel non-coding RNA biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer.

Khoshnevis Lab

Congratulations to Dr. Sohail Khoshnevis, Assistant Professor in Biochemistry, for receiving 3 recent grants:

1. A Biological Discovery Through Chemical Innovation (BDCI) Accelerator grant to develop a new class of antifungals.

2. A CF-Air Center Pilot Award to study “The role of RNA methylation in Candida albicans for pathogenicity in cystic fibrosis model".

3. A 5-year NIH grant, "Post-transcriptional regulation of cell plasticity."

Liang Lab

Bo Liang, PhD, Associate Professor in Biochemistry, received a new sub-award under UNAPP in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) and Novartis, "Functions and structures of the Nipah virus polymerase".

His lab also published:

1. “Structural basis of the American mink ACE2 binding by Y453F trimeric spike glycoproteins of SARS-CoV-2,” in Journal of Medical Virology.

2. "In Silico Identification and In Vitro Validation of Repurposed Compounds Targeting the RSV Polymerase," in Microorganisms.

Draganova Lab

Elizabeth (Lizzy) Draganova, PhD, Assistant Professor in Biochemistry, received an NIH Director’s New Innovator Award from the NIH Common Fund’s High-Risk, High-Reward Research program. The project title is, "Under Pressure: Biophysical Mapping of Herpesvirus Capsid Assembly and Genome Packaging".

Eric Ortlund and Office of Technology Transfer staff

Ortlund Lab

Dr. Eric Ortlund, Professor and Vice Chair of Biochemistry, was honored with the "Deal of the Year" award from the Office of Technology Transfer at Emory University. Dr. Ortlund licensed small molecule modulators targeting the Liver Receptor Homologue 1 to Allonix Therapeutics for the treatment of IBD, Metabolic Diseases and Cancer.

Publications in the Ortlund lab:

Lee Cato, Emma D’Agostino, Racheal Spurlin, Sarah Abraham, and Eric Ortlund published a paper, "Comparison of Activity, Structure, and Dynamics of SF-1 and LRH-1 Complexed with Small Molecule Modulators," in Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Sam Druzak, Suzanne Mays, Mireille El-Bejjani, Kristal Maner-Smith, Thomas Bowen, Lee Cato, Matt Tillman, and Eric Ortlund published the paper, "Ligand dependent interaction between PC-TP and PPARδ mitigates diet-induced hepatic steatosis in male mice," in Nature Communications.

Retirement of Dr. Danny Reines

After 30 years at Emory in the department of Biochemistry, Danny Reines, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair of Biochemistry, retired November 2023 as Professor Emeritus.

Events

2024 Biochemistry Retreat

Biochemistry held its annual retreat on April 15, 2024 at TopGolf Atlanta. The retreat included teambuilding exercises, employee awards, golf, and lunch.